lambing & kidding
DESCRIPTION
This presentation on lambing and kidding was given by Dr. Mara Mullinix at the 2013 Lambing & Kidding School held in Keedysville, Maryland.TRANSCRIPT
LAMBING AND KIDDING:
What’s normal and what can go
wrong!
Mara L. Mulllinix D.V.M.
CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT
Clean, dry, low humidity, low ammonia, and eliminate draftiness!
Lambing jugs, or pens to alleviate mismatching of lambs/ewes
after lambing.
+/- Heat Lamps
Can be an open front shed, old bank barn, an area made of
bales , or a state of the art building designed by the best
Agricultural engineers.. ..ultimately it is going to be up to the
EWE and YOU!
EWES…WELL PREPARED
Well nourished ewes but not overly!!!
Obesity of the ewe is a huge factor in difficult labor… second
only to a huge overfed unborn lamb! You’ve all see the big
beautiful .. but not well doing, Mr. DUH lamb.. They can’t walk or
nurse for hours!
Mismatching of the sire size to the ewe can cause dystocia
especially if the head and shoulders are too big! Watch for coarse
shouldered rams and.. even the ewe’s sire size can come into
play.
MICRONUTRIENTS
Selenium..this mineral may play a role in ringwomb (non-dialating cervix)
and also prolapsing of the vagina or uterus.. Kids with “rubbery” legs have
been attributed to this nutrient
Calcium and magnesium are minerals which are extremely important for
pregnant ewes. Hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia are not uncommon in
periparturient ewes. They present almost the same with neuromuscular
signs, and probably contribute to retained placentae.
Ad libitum loose salt mineral mix during pregnancy is my preference
INADEQUATE WATER throughout pregnancy and during lactation is the
most important nutrient …as it is throughout life..
ELIMINATE OTHER DISEASE FACTORS
Chlamydia…late term abortions, and small weak lambs
can be relatively easy to eliminate from the flock by adding
Aureomycin to feed or using LA 200 or similar injectable
tetracycline
Deworming ewes before the last trimester
Good nutritional program
Sort ewes according to BCS, lamb numbers determined
by ultrasound and experience
PREGNANCY TOXEMIA OR KETOSIS
Multiparous thin or obese ewes with twins +
Ewes with twins require 1.8-1.9 times more energy and protein
Inadequate nutrition due to diminished ruminal capacity because of
uterine size, +/_insufficient energy dense ration
Huge glucose requirement for late term lamb growth force ewes to use fat
stores leading to hepatic lipidosis and the decreased clearing of ketone
bodies
Ewes with twins require 1.8-1.9 times more energy and protein
Feed refusal and neurological dysfunction leading to recumbency and
even death
AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION IS WORTH A
POUND OF CURE
Sort ewes according to BCS, lamb numbers determined by ultrasound
( helps with due date also) and experience of the ewe
Monitor feed intake of the ewes, diminished intake is also an early
sign of lambing (24hours)
Ionophores such as monensin may also help prevent toxemia
Treatment of early cases include propylene glycol ( 60 ml. 2-3xdaily for
3 day) with oral calcium and potassium, calf electrolytes work well. May
include, induction of labor, C-Section, IV dextrose, Calcium gluconate
(50-100ml) SQ, and oral potassium chloride, and even insulin
TREATMENT (WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS)
Treatment of early cases include propylene glycol (
60 ml. 2-3xdaily for 3 day) with oral calcium and
potassium, calf electrolytes work well.
More advanced cases may require induction of
labor, C-Section, IV dextrose, Calcium gluconate (50-
100ml) SQ, oral potassium chloride, and even insulin
VAGINAL PROLAPSE
Probably genetic..after weaning cull the ewe and do not keep ewe
lambs as replacements
Obesity is a big factor
Foot rot makes ewes lie in sternal recumbency predisposes
prolapsing
Multiple births triplets>>>>twins>>>>singlet
Treat with replacement of the prolapse, may need ABC and NSAID
then I prefer harnesses over Buhner stitching, d/t less pain, and
ewe can lamb without stitch removal through harness
EARLY STAGES OF LABOR
The ewe will separate
herself from the
flock , she may begin
nesting by pawing and
nickering.
Other ewes may try to
“steal” other newborn
lambs, will try to lick
them, and nuzzle or
butt them
NORMAL BIRTH
A mucus plug
will appear, and
the ewe may
begin uterine
contractions
TRUE LABOR BEGINS
The ewe may or may
not lay down, but you
will begin to see more
signs of labor and the
ewe may vocalize
more. And you can
actually she her push.
CONTRACTIONS CONTINUE!
After 2-3 hours the amniotic
sac (water bag ) appears
and after 30 to 60 minute
the lamb’s nose and front
leg appears. After 20 to 30
minutes the lamb should be
born.
THE LAMB APPEARS!
BOTH FEET DOWN
AFTER BIRTH
The ewe will lick and
clean the lambs which is
a crucial time for
bonding. Soon after the
lambs will get up and
begin searching to nurse.
After 2-3 hours the
placenta will pass. Do
not allow the ewe to eat
it. Some do, but it may
cause illness and/or
blockage.
THE RESULT WE ALL WANT!
2 DEFINITE SIGNS OF DYSTOCIA
No lamb visible after 45-60
minutes after the amniotic sac
appears
After the lamb has appeared for
30 minutes and no progress
PROBLEM!!Drag picture to placeholder or click icon to add
If labor takes
more than 1
hour after the
amniotic sac
appears be
prepared to
assist with
delivery
OH MY MYLAMBTA!
Before You Are Faced DYSTOCIA..(Big Word for
Difficult labor)
Having a veterinarian to call and consult is
important!
Being prepared is Paramount! Have a controlled
environment….. as nearly you possibly can!
Now it is up to YOU and the EWE
ASSISTING
Restrain the ewe, either with halter ( do not tie too high or
she may lie down) or my preference, some one holding her
head. Head chutes or milking stauncions also work well.
Wash the back of the ewe with disinfecting soap or iodine
scrub
Apply gloves or scrub your arm
Use liberal amount of lubricant
Insert your arm slowly
FIGURE OUT POSITION OF THE LAMB
How many lambs?
Forwards or backwards, position of hooves, nose or
tail?
If only one foot, always try to retract lamb and get
both front legs
Only the tail? Follow the body to the hind legs and
pull lamb backwards, steadily downward, need to
clear airways.
Feet and no head? May need a snare to pull the
head around
CALL FOR HELP
If the lamb head is too big to get through the
pelvis.
If the cervix is not dialated at all
If the cervix is partial dialated and digital
manipulation won’t dialate it large enough for the
lambs delivery.
NORMAL PRESENTATION
THIS IS NOT AS SCARY AS IT APPEARS!
MANIPULATION
First you reach
under the lamb
and cupping each
foot with your
hands, pull it out
until….
YOU HAVE THIS!!
Breach presentations are
considered normal by
some. Just pull
downward steadily, but
must remove quickly.
Clean out the nose, and
get any fluid from lungs!
QUANDRY PRESENTATION
Some people will pull
lambs with this
presentation. I don’t
recommend it,
because of damage to
the lamb’s shoulder
and neck
PLEASE FIX THE LEGS
Some people actually
will pull lambs with
this presentation. This
is horrible on the
lambs and on the ewe.
PLEASE FIX THE
LEGS!
THIS ONE IS TOUGH
Make sure you push
the lamb in. Then
reach under and pull
the head around. I’ve
flipped ewes on their
back, for some reason
this helps!
A PUZZLE YOU CAN FIX!
First you push the lamb
with the head turned
back in. Then, you pull
the normally presented
lamb. You already know
how to fix the
malpositioned lamb!
PUZZLE # 2
Someone else
solve it!
DON’T WORRY BE HAPPY
Take every little gift
like this and never
take it for granted.
After you have had a
few wrecks, you’ll
smile every time you
seen this!!
D
DO NOT OVER REACT
Once the lamb is born allow the Mom to do her job.
Check the udder to make sure the teats are open
Give any ewe you have assisted an injection of
antibiotic
I do not recommend dipping cords, but that is up
to you!
Check them in 2 hours to make sure the lamb has
nursed and is up and moving. Over caring can
sometimes do more harm than good.